Exodus <br> Students take training break to celebrate holiday season Published Dec. 15, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Heather Holcomb 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Every year technical school students at Keesler disperse like a dropped handful of marbles, returning home to spend the holidays with their friends and families. This year holiday exodus takes place Dec. 22 to Jan. 3. Tech. Sgt. Shaun Wilke, 81st Training Group military training leader, said, "It gives the Airmen time to decompress and recharge during the holiday period. They've experienced a great deal between basic military training and going straight to technical training. "For many, this is the first time they've been away from home for an extended period, and we all know how difficult that becomes during the holiday season," he said, "The opportunity to spend time with their families and friends at home definitely refreshes and motivates our Airmen." Airman 1st Class Megan Lima, a student with the 338th Training Squadron, said that because of holiday exodus, she'll have the opportunity to carry on her Rhode Island family's tradition of ice skating every Dec. 26 which she hasn't missed since she was 10 years old. "Spending time with family is important because it can remind us of where we came from," said Airman Lima. Students leaving for the holidays are given emergency contact cards so that if anything happens while they are away they know who to call. The cards contain the phone numbers to charge of quarters at the dormitory, MTLs, the wing chaplain, security forces, command post and Tricare. MTLs also get a chance to unwind and reconnect with family members during exodus. "We are always on the go throughout the year, and if we do take leave, someone else has to pick up the slack and work twice as hard," Sergeant Wilke said. "This time of year we can take leave and just enjoy the time," Staff Sgt. Will Mitchell, an MTL from the 336th TRS, is staying at Keesler during exodus. His family is from the local area and every year they have their Christmas dinner the Saturday before Christmas. This is the first year that he's been close enough to host the dinner at his own home. Manning is reduced to essential personnel only in the military training facility, but the only difference in his day-to-day job is the increased number of phone calls from scattered Airmen. "It's a good example of the training environment being in line with the operational Air Force," said Sergeant Mitchell. Some students decide to stay behind during exodus for many reasons, including to save money or save leave for a trip home before they move to their first permanent duty station. Students remaining on Keesler will be consolidated into one dormitory in order to increase management efficiency. Sergeant Wilke said, "Consolidation also ensures camaraderie for our Airmen and affords them an opportunity to meet students that they wouldn't normally run across." Students are expected to essentially run the MTF during exodus by maintaining the facility and running the charge of quarters area. Students are offered a variety of activities: The 81st Training Wing chapel staff provides movie nights, video games and runs the "home away from home" program where students have the opportunity to share a holiday meal with a Keesler family. The Keesler Spouses Club will be visiting the students with cookies and holiday wishes. The Fleet Support Squadron will be hosting a non-prior service bowling tournament on Dec. 28 along with dart and pool tournaments. The Bay Breeze Event Center and Gaude Lanes are both hosting New Year's Eve events for all base personnel. Students returning home can purchase airline tickets and shuttle tickets to and from the airport at the information, tickets and travel office on the first floor of the event center. For more information, call 377-3818.